Delafield, Wisconsin

Urban explorers, meet your new favorite spot. Located right outside of downtown Milwaukee, Jones' Island is home to a water reclamation facility, road salt storage, milorganite, the Port of Milwaukee and more. But us explorers view it as a desolate haven ready to become our canvas. Train tracks a...

There are not many sandy beaches in the lovely state of Wisconsin.  This might be the best one.  If you are from Wisconsin, you also might consider Lake Michigan an ocean when you are craving a real ocean.  And it comes close!  Even though it’s not on a real ocean, this beach has it all. There’s ...

One of Milwaukee's truly hidden gems, this beach is right off of Capitol Drive and approximately 50 stairs down from the bluffs to the shoreline!  You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which ...

This park has it all! Lake Park Bistro, golfing, hiking, a lighthouse, hiking trails, biking trails, and picnic spots galore!  Take the Oak Leaf Trail throughout the park to make a loop around all of the main landmarks in this historic park!  There are many things to see in this park! Multiple ra...

This park has it all. There is ample parking, full bathrooms, and picnic areas. The trail starts right at the parking lot and there are two different paths you can take: 1.) Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot 2.) Walk straight from the parking lot acro...

Sheridan Park is home to one of the most beautiful, stunning and scenic sunrises in Wisconsin. Located about 10 minutes south of downtown Milwaukee, this location is accessible by hiking about 10 minutes from your parking location. Follow the winding path down to the beach and you'll find abandon...

Placed along the Lake Michigan lakeshore in Grant Park about 10 minutes south of Downtown Milwaukee, Seven Bridges Trail offers beautiful scenery that seems like something out of a fairy tail. The trail begins at the the Covered Bridge Entrance which you can access by entering off of Grant Park D...

Horicon Marsh is located about an hour north of Milwaukee. The wildlife refuge features several trails ranging from a quarter mile up to nearly 3 miles long. Terrain can vary slightly, but most of the land, especially around the wetlands, is flat. The marsh features an abundance of wildlife. Hund...

Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, ...

This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip.  There are multiple routes to the bottom.  For those that want a st...

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features stairs, river views, pretty rocks, a nice park, and a golf course.  We started at the north end (not the park end) and enjoyed it.  If you have kids, I would recommend starting at the park end.  It is an out-and-back type hike.  From the south end of the...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, you can go and hike one two areas (of course the...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. There...

This lakeside park has a newer bike/walking path. The park itself is an excellent spot for a picnic or catching a sunset! There is a nice play area and a rocky beach.   The path is known as the Lower Yahara River Trail and opened in 2017. It provides a non-road connection between Madison and McFa...

Olbrich Gardens has 16 acres of gardens including a rose garden, sunken garden, Thai pavilion, rock garden, herb garden, and more.  Each one is unique with its own pathways and plant life as well as man made structures which include bridges, pools, the Thai pavilion, and more.   Adjoining the Bot...

I like to put in at the Camp Randall Rowing Club Brittingham Boat House located at 617 N Shore Dr, Madison, WI 53703.  There’s a dock and free 3 hour parking.  Once in the water just paddle straight towards John Nolen Drive and go under the bridge and you’ll be in Lake Monona. Keep going and soak...